Toto Wolff admitted he feels "uncomfortable" discussing contract terms with Lewis Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion's current deal expires at the end of this season and so thrashing out a new deal is on the Mercedes team principal's to-do list. But if his latest update on the situation is anything to go by, then the Austrian is clearly not enjoying that responsibility.
As has been the case every time Hamilton has neared the end of a contract, the rumour mill has been very active. Some have suggested that the 38-year-old might be ready to end his Formula 1 racing career while others have linked him with the likes of Ferrari and McLaren.
Wolff, however, remains insistent that he has no doubt Hamilton will sign on with the Silver Arrows again. But he did make that admission that he is not particularly enjoying the process of making that happen.
"These rumours come up every two years when we have to sign a new contract," he told Austrian outlet Osterreich. "But none of this is true. We discuss normally, without any time pressure."
Asked about negotiations being difficult, he added: "I said that too. It's just uncomfortable that two friends, two blood brothers who have been through thick and thin for ten years, suddenly have to discuss money.
"I'm firmly convinced that we'll find each other, there's not a millimetre of doubt for me. I can't imagine anything else. If we give Lewis a competitive car, he will win for a long time. Look at Tom Brady and what he was still capable of in his 40s."
Meanwhile, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali has made it clear he wants to see Hamilton continue racing. "I'd like him to stay in the sport 100 per cent, 100% – 1,000%!" said the Italian.
"He loves our sport. He has been in it since he was a child. Now his role in F1 is getting bigger than an F1 world champion, given the way he gets involved in a lot of things outside the sport and takes an active role in society. He takes us towards new dimensions.
""But his love is Formula 1 and, of course, he wants to achieve his dream of being the only driver to have won an eighth title. Toto is totally focused on making Mercedes improve. He told me he made adjustments within the team to be sure that there is the right intensity to gain performance as soon as possible. I am sure this will happen very, very soon."
